CHORUS

But Annie, dear, don't wait for me,

I fear I shall not return to thee,

There's nought to do but endure my fate,

And watch the moon, the lonely moon

Light the breakers on wild Bass Strait.

CHORUS

Old Bass Strait roars like some great millrace,

And where are you, my Annie?

And the same moon shines on this lonely place,

As shone one day on my Annie's face.

CHORUS

We stole a vessel and all her gear,

And where are you, my Annie?

And from Van Dieman's we north did steer,

Till Bass Strait's wild waves wrecked us here.

CHORUS

And somewhere west, Port Melbourne lies,

And where are you, my Annie?

Through swamps infested with snakes and flies,

The fool who walks there, he surely dies.

CHORUS

We hail no ships though the time, it drags,

And where are you, my Annie?

Our chain gang walk and our government rags

All mark us out as Van Dieman's lags.

CHORUS

We fled the lash and the chafing chain,

And where are you, my Annie?

We fled hard labour and brutal pain,

And here we are, and here remain.